Cactus at the Castle, Lullingstone Castle, Kent - 16th & 17th September 2023

[Vicky]

Cactus at the Castle will be presented again by Cactus and Succulent Review this year. The quarterly online magazine will be offering readers who can get to the picturesque village of Eynsford in Kent less than half-price admission to the event at Lullingstone Castle.

Looking to continue the success of previous events, Cactus at the Castle will run over 16-17 September and feature plant sales from over 20 of the UK’s leading cactus and succulent nurseries. New for this year the weekend will include two shows. On Saturday 16 September the Mesemb Study Group will be holding their annual show and Sunday 17 September will see the inaugural Lullingstone Open Show with classes for a wide range of cacti and succulents. The show will be open to everybody to take part. Judging will be by the renowned horticulturalist, RHS judge, author and BBC gardening presenter Jim Buttress, The People’s Gardener, who will be joined by cactus and succulent expert Les Hewitt. Also on the Sunday, Graham Charles and Paul Hoxey will be giving talks.

Lullingstone Castle is the family seat of BCSS patron Tom Hart Dyke and home to his renowned World Garden of Plants. Tom will be giving guided tours on both event days and there will also be a fabulously colourful display of dahlias by top grower Darren Everest. The castle itself will be open to visitors again and mouth-watering Mexican food will be available too.

The standard admission price is £12.50 but CSR subscribers and Mesemb Study Group Members will be able to enjoy the event for just £6.00 and BCSS members for £10.00. Fancy attending both days? Saturday ticket holders will be able to obtain half price entry for the Sunday (based on their admission band). Children under 16 are admitted free.

Look out for more details in the September edition of Cactus and Succulent Review, including information on how to claim discounted entry. In the meantime, please visit the www.cactusandsucculentreview.org.uk/cac ... the-castle

[Vicky]

The Cactus at the Castle Team are very disappointed to announce the unavoidable cancellation of the Mesemb Study Group Show on Saturday 16th September. We would like to wish Suzanne Mace, who was organising the show, the very best and sincerely hope that Tony's health issues respond positively to treatment.

[Vicky]

Twenty eight sellers are confirmed for this year's Cactus at the Castle mart.

[Vicky]

In addition to nursery sales, there will also be a bring & sell auction on the Saturday this year.

The idea is simple: bring a plant or plants for sale, pay your £1 per plant entry fee and then collect your sales money at the end of the auction! Payments will be taken and made in cash only. It is anticipated that most plants will have no reserve; however entrants wishing to place a reserve may do so. This will be at no additional cost up to £20 or 10% of the sale price (in total) over this amount.

All plants must arrive by 13.00 for 14.00 start.

If you would like more information, please email cactusatthecastle@gmail.com

[Vicky]

It's going to be a busy weekend at Cactus at the Castle!

Remember to bring some cash as not all of the sellers can accept card payments. Any plants to be included in the auction on Saturday afternoon must be registered by 1PM.